Small Business Size Standards

Learn about the definition of – and qualifications for – a small business and why it's important to know your status.

SBA has established numerical definitions of small businesses, or "size standards," for all for-profit industries. Size standards represent the largest size that a business (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) may be to remain classified as a small business concern. In determining what constitutes a small business, the definition will vary to reflect industry differences. These size standards are used to determine eligibility for SBA’s financial assistance and to its other programs, as well as to Federal government procurement programs designed to help small businesses. Also, the Small Business Act states that unless specifically authorized by statute, no other Federal department or agency may prescribe a size standard for categorizing a business concern as a small business concern, unless such proposed size standard meets certain criteria and is approved by the Administrator of SBA.